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The Way Slots Reflect Contemporary Culture

Rate this Article Find out how slots reflect contemporary culture. Slots & Bingo Games - The Way Slots Reflect Contemporary Culture

The modern world of digital casinos is one where slots reign supreme. Major websites host hundreds of these games, with slots as the backbone which keep many players coming back. Reaching this point was not easy, with slots undergoing significant change before they reached this point. Taking a look back, we want to explore how slots looked throughout history, and how they reflected the major cultural influences of their times.

The First Slots


The very first slot games, also known as fruit machines, were invented by Charles August Fey in 1894. Working as a mechanic at the time, Fey's machine's popularity was such a hit at a local bar that he quit his job to produce the devices full-time. This culminated in the first three-reel slot machine in 1898, and most notable, the Liberty Bell machine in 1899.

These early machines were naturally limited, given the technology of the era. Still, among what was available around the turn of the 20th century, slot machines were a revelation. They were rough and utilitarian, but so were the people, and so the devices took off. In the end, Fey's machines were so popular that they were copied by other major producers until around 3,300 of them existed in San Francisco alone in 1909.

The March of Time


Over the decades, improving technology and greater investment would drive slots to new heights. The devices still held considerable interest in their complexity, but just as important were the prizes these games gave out. In many bars, where drinking and smoking was the way of the world, free alcohol and cigars were often the results of winning combinations.

Of these prizes, likely the most influential came from a machine developed by the Mills Novelty Company in 1916. In their machine, a winning combination would pay out all coins that had been deposited up until that point, generating the first versions of slot jackpots. These continued to spread and grow, covering the entire United States.

While slots were making international strides in the following years, It wasn’t until after World War 2 that they truly gained international attention. These were years of hope and prosperity, and slot machines reflected this hope. They also became a reliable source of tax for strained governments, and so they entered what would become the first golden age.

The Digital Revolution


Becoming mainstays in major casinos, the big new step came in the development of the video slot. First introduced in Las Vegas in 1975, these slots brought a new twist on a classic, allowing the machines to spread their wings like never before. This revelation was followed in 1986 by the introduction of a communal progressive jackpot. With these systems, potential winnings could increase massively, making the machines all the more enticing. Since slots had become so popular, taking up so much space and even becoming collective experiences with friends, shared jackpots were a natural step forward.

The new form of slots, those available online, didn’t arrive until the development of the first online casinos in 1996. Like the first physical slot machines, these were extremely limited by today's standards but still performed well. More than just a novelty, early online slots were far more convenient than their offline cousins, and this was enough to bring them many dedicated fans.

Modern Slots


Though offline slots have continued to do well, it’s the online slots and their casinos which have undergone the most development and recent growth. This isn't just a reflection of how far slots have come in terms of graphics in gameplay either, with modern slot popularity also owing to evolution in casino framework.

Modern online casinos are immense, well designed, and come with a variety of bonuses like deposit matches and free spins. Held to strict standards, these contemporary websites and slots all demonstrate modern digital sensibilities. As we’ve become accustomed to faster and more efficient experiences, websites moved away from downloadable programs and Flash and towards newer solutions like HTML5.

The same concept applies to our reliance on mobiles, which have become homes for digital offerings. Better suited to mobile screens and input than most, the move of slots to mobiles has been one of the most successful developments yet.

With over a century of evolution behind them, slots have proven an interesting place in the world of interactive entertainment. Despite having come so far, the most fundamental aspects of slots haven't changed, rather, our methods of engagement have seen the majority of the shifts. If nothing else, this speaks to the appeal of the base gameplay, and its potential for future growth. While we can't predict exactly what comes next, what we do know is that slots, as always, will be there.

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